Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25

Have you seen those stocking stuffers for hikers posts online? Full of $300 gadgets or things that are clearly too large to physically fit in a stocking? Me too. They’re ridiculous. A stocking should be full of small, fun, inexpensive stuff. And chocolate.

Some of my family is pretty outdoorsy (no surprise there), so I have some experience choosing gifts for hikers. I try to pick things that are high quality, fairly cheap and actually useful. Absolutely no gimmicks! No silly 6-in-1 gadgets! Because nothing is worse than getting stuff you don’t need and will never use. (And it’s so bad for the planet too.)

So here’s my list of stocking stuffers for hikers under $25. They’re all totally useful and I think every hiker would be happy to find these things in their stocking on Christmas morning.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Mini Thermometer

Mountain weather is notoriously fickle. While you can’t change it, you can at least measure it. I often bring along a mini thermometer to check the temperature so I can see if it is actually excruciatingly cold… or if I’m just being a wimp.

Upgrade pick: A few years ago I got the Thermoworks ThermoDrop thermometer. It’s a tiny instant-read digital thermometer. It’s a higher end option, but it’s still under $25.

But the real reason it is a game change is because it records the highest and lowest temperature since the last time it was turned off. I use this feature to assess whether the gear I brought was optimal for the conditions. This tiny thermometer made my list of my favourite gear of 2022.

Signal Whistle

As soon as I get a new backpack, I pick up a Fox 40 Classic Whistle to attach the shoulder strap. They’re super loud, come in lots of colors and cost only a few bucks. A signal whistle is a super simple safety device you can use to call for help in an emergency. (And it’s actually part of the 10 Essentials – things you should bring on every hike.)

Goodr Sunglasses

I’ve been wearing Goodr sunglasses for the last two years. (They made my list of my favourite gear of 2023.) So far I’ve been really impressed. They are durable, have polarized lenses, and stay on my face even when I’m sweating a ton. I’m shocked that they are only $25!

Wool-Blend Hiking socks

Quality hiking socks can be the difference between happy feet and horrible blister-covered feet. (Trust me. I’ve been there. It’s not pretty.) Durable, wool-blend hiking socks are the answer, and every hiker will be happy to add another pair to their collection.

I love Smartwool socks. My favourites are the Performance Hike Light Cushion socks. They are thin merino wool so they don’t make me overheat and they’ve never given me blisters.

Tenacious Tape

Old-school hikers carry duct tape. New-school hikers carry Tenacious Tape. It sticks to pretty much everything (including silnylon) and doesn’t leave a sticky mess like duct tape does. I’ve used it to repair down jackets, sleeping bags and tent flies on hikes. I always carry a small roll of it on trips and I think it makes a unique stocking stuffer for hikers.

Mini-Size Travel Towel

I don’t go anywhere without a mini-size quick-dry microfibre towel. There’s great for wiping sweat off my brow, drying my feet after creek crossings, washing camp dishes and so much more. I like the PackTowl Personal Towel in the Face Cloth size.

Kula Cloth

If you squat to pee and haven’t tried a pee cloth, you’re missing out. Kula Cloths are a reusable and hygienic alternative to toilet paper.

This simple square of fabric is absorbent and anti-microbial on one side and waterproof on the other side. It folds in half to keep the dirty side contained and clips to your pack.

I’ve been using these for years and recommend them to everyone. Plus they are made by a small, women-owned company.

Collapsible Water bottle

Sometimes you just need to carry extra water, but you don’t want the weight of another bottle when it’s empty. Enter the collapsible bottle.

I love these Platypus SoftBottles since they weigh almost nothing and roll up small when I’m not using them. Plus they come in fun colours so they are a great option for stocking stuffers for hikers.

Cork Massage Ball

Like a lot of hikers, I frequently have sore and tight muscles. Stretching helps, but using trigger point massage to target my tight calves and glutes has been revoluntionary for me.

At home I use a bulky foam roller. But when I’m backpacking or camping I bring a tiny cork massage ball. It’s super light, but firm enough to really dig in to tight spots.

Electrolyte Drinks

Sometimes water alone just isn’t enough. I like to bring electrolyte mix on long hikes to help prevent dehydration. Plus they make your water taste better. My favourites electrolyte is Nuun. It comes in dissolvable tablets that are way less messy than powders.

Lately I’ve also been loving Liquid IV since some of their flavours use real sugar – sometimes artificial or alternative sweeteners don’t agree with me.

Fun Hiking Snacks

Trail mix is so 10 years ago (although it still tastes pretty good). These days there are tons of weird and wonderful hiking snacks on the market. Surprise the hiker on your list with a fun snack they’ve never tried before.

I love Moon Cheese – they’re freeze dried cheese bits without the weight and grease of actual cheese. Other ideas: astronaut ice cream, freeze dried fruit, stroop waffles, or high end jerky. (And please skip the gas station jerky, it’s terrible).

Buff

Fabric tube scarves, often known as buffs are pretty awesome. You can wear it as a scarf, a hat, an ear warmer, a headband, a balaclava and more. I take one on all my trips – in the winter I bring a wool one, in the summer a wicking lightweight polyester one.

They also come in all kinds of colours and patterns so it’s easy to find one that your loved one with appreciate.

Pocket knife

Every hiker needs a good basic knife. It doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Opinel’s inexpensive single blade knives have had the same simple design for decades. They’re great quality, compact and lightweight. Plus they their classic wood-handled design is pretty cool too.

Instant coffee

Just because you’re backpacking doesn’t mean you need to go without coffee. Grocery store instant coffee is gross. Thankfully a few companies have solved that problem. My favourite is Alpine Start Coffee. They also have an instant latte that includes coconut creamer.

Spork

You don’t need to pack both a fork and a spoon when you can pack a spork instead. I like the fancy titanium ones from Snow Peak since they save weight in my pack. I have a blue one and my husband has a green one so we always know whose is whose.

If the hiker on your lists eats directly out of freeze-dried backpacking food bags all the time, get them a long spork. The extra length makes it easy to reach all the way down into the corners of the bag.

Rope Tightening Caribiners

Getting a taut pitch on a tarp can be hard – it requires lots of adjusting and knot-tying. I started using the Nite Ize Figure 9 caribiners with rope tighteners on the ends a few years ago. OMG. So. Much. Easier.

Sunscreen Stick

It’s easy to get sunburned while hiking but it can be tough to remember to reapply on the go. I like the portable convenience of a tiny sunscreen stick. You can keep it in your pocket and quickly rub it on your nose and cheeks without getting your hands all sticky. Sun Bum makes a great SPF 30 stick that is water resistant and designed for the face.

GoToob Bottles

These little GoToob bottles are great at carrying pretty much anything and come in a bunch of sizes. And they don’t leak! I’ve used mine to carry pesto sauce, sun screen, olive oil, shampoo, peanut butter and more. They’re great for hiking, backpacking or travel.

Mini Condiment Packets

Every time I get take out or fast food, I save the mini packets of condiments. I bring them backpacking to add to my meals. Be a hero and order a whole bunch of packets to put in your hiker’s stocking. Popular choices: hot sauce, mayonnaise, peanut butter, or soy sauce.

Blister Bandages

Unfortunately, blisters happen (despite our best efforts to prevent them). Every hiker needs some blister bandages in their first aid kit, so add some to their Christmas stocking. My favorite are the Band-Aid ones.

Pot Scraper

Nobody loves doing camping dishes, especially on backpacking trips. I’ve owned this tiny GSI pot scraper for years and despite its small size, it make a big difference. One side is hard to scrape up stuck on food while the other is soft like a spatula to wipe surfaces clean.

Water Treatment Tablets

What happens if you run out of water on a hike? Is the water safe to drink? (Hint: probably not.) I keep some emergency water treatment tablets in my first aid kit just in case. These aren’t most exciting of the options for stocking stuffers for hikers, but they are super practical. 

Foam Earplugs

Backcountry camping isn’t always quiet. Sometimes your tent-mate snores, the group across the way parties too late or those damn frogs croak all night. I always bring a pair of foam earplugs camping. They help me get a good night’s sleep.

Upgrade pick: This year I got a pair of Loop Quiet earplugs. They use silicone tips like the ones you get with earbuds and I find them so much more comfortable to sleep in that foam ear plugs. They are a few dollars more than the $25, but they are worth it!

Rainwear Waterproofing Treatment

Every hiker owns a rain jacket, and every rain jacket needs re-waterproofing every year or two. I like Nikwax TX.Direct. It’s an easy to use wash-in and one bottle is enough to treat a few jackets. (My post about why rain jackets wet out explains how important re-waterproofing is!)

Energy Bars

Grocery store granola bars are packed with sugar and not much else. Quality energy bars make great stocking stuffers for hikers. There are tons out there to suit every palette. (One year I put 10 different peanut butter flavoured bars in my Dad’s stocking so he could do a taste test. He LOVES peanut butter.)

My current favourites are the Chocolate Coconut ProBar, Clif Bar Chocolate Hazelnut Butter bar, and Honey Stinger Energy Chews.

Handwarmers

Are you stuffing the stocking of a hiker with cold hands? Tuck some handwarmers into their stocking. They can make a big difference on cold days.

Reusable Silicone Bags

I love these Stasher reusable silicone bags carrying snacks and keeping small items dry and organized. They’re a bit beefier than Ziploc bags, but they’re totally dishwasher safe so they’re easy to re-use over and over and OVER. They come in a bunch of sizes too.

A Gift Card

If all else fails, get them a gift card to their favourite gear store. It’s something you KNOW they’ll use, and that way they’ll get to pick out the gear themselves. I love REI, but Amazon has a pretty good selection of outdoor gear these days too. (And if you’re in Canada, the hiker on your list definitely wants an MEC gift card.)

So there’s my list of totally useful stocking stuffers for hikers. What other totally useful items would you put in a hiker’s Christmas stocking? Tell me in the comments?

More Gift Ideas for Hikers:

• 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers
• The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• Romantic Valentine’s Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday and Boxing Day Deals for Hikers and Backpackers